Key summary
- Before you fly, check with your airline’s flying-with-a-baby rules.
- If you’re flying internationally, ask your GP if your child needs any travel or routine vaccinations.
- Pack more than enough formula or breastmilk, and sterilised bottles and boiled and cooled water.
- When you get to your destination, expose your baby to daylight to help with jetlag.
Travelling with a baby requires some planning and frankly, a lot of stuff.
You probably have a lot of questions, including where should you sit on the plane? Can you bring your pram into the airport? And how on Earth do you deal with a jet-lagged baby?
It is a lot to think about, but don’t stress. Follow these tips for flying with a baby and the sky’s the limit.
At what age can my baby fly?
Check your airline’s flying-with-a-baby rules, but there’s usually no minimum age for air travel for babies. However, you may want to avoid exposing newborns to illness since their immune systems are not yet robust, so talk to your GP. On many airlines you don’t need to book or pay for a seat for a child who’s younger than two. But be prepared that they will need to sit on your lap for the flight.
What are some of the challenges of flying with a baby?
Travelling with kids can be a wonderful experience, but it can disrupt their routine and be overstimulating. “Your child will be excited by new places, experiences, people and lights, so expect them to become more tired quickly and overstimulation can result in greater general irritability,” says Rob Mastromanno, quality assurance product compliance specialist at Baby Bunting.
There will also be times when your little one might get bored or fussy, especially in those long, snaking airport queues.
Read our tips for dealing with these challenges.
Top tips for flying with baby
Planning is everything, says Rob. Strategise for when things don’t go to plan, such as a delayed flight or when baby’s clothes get covered in food (or worse!).
“Have a clear idea about what needs to get done and when,” he advises. “But try to remain calm (I know it can be VERY hard) when challenges or delays occur.”
Air Travel Checklist
| Stage | Checklist Items |
| Before You Leave | • Check if baby needs travel or routine vaccinations (6–12 weeks before departure) • Verify passport validity (some countries require at least 6+ months) • Pre-book an in-flight bassinet if available • Renew passport if needed • Plan feeding schedule and prepare bottles |
| At the Airport | • Allow extra time for check-in and bag drop • Check oversized baggage requirements for prams and car seats • Bring a lightweight baby carrier for hands-free mobility • Confirm carry-on stroller policy with the airline • Pack non-electronic toys to avoid overstimulation • Check if the airport offers loan strollers for checked pram users |
| On the Plane | • Hold baby during take-off, landing, and turbulence (as required by flight attendants) • Use bassinet when flight attendants permit • Manage feeding needs during the flight • Pack extra baby supplies in carry-on • Prepare for limited in-flight entertainment options • Be ready to comfort baby during pressure changes |
Before you leave
- Flying internationally with your baby? Ask your GP if your child needs any travel or routine vaccinations. Do this at least six to 12 weeks before your departure date so there’s time for the vaccines to take effect.
- If your baby has a passport, check if your destination country requires the passport to have at least six months’ validity from the date you plan to leave that country. If not, you may need to renew it.
- Every airline is different, but pre-book an in-flight bassinet if you can. In most cases, kids aged under two must be held on your lap during take-off, landing and turbulence but babies can lie flat in a bassinet once the flight attendants say it’s okay.
At the airport
- Allow extra time to get from your car or taxi and into the terminal, and for check-in and bag drop. This is especially important if you’re flying with a pram, portacot or car seat that needs to be checked in as oversized baggage.
- “Think about how much each traveller can carry on the trip, too,” says Rob. Including the baby; you only have so many hands! “Lightweight baby carriers are helpful for this,” adds Rob.
- Many airlines allow light, foldable strollers, such as the Maxi Cosi Leya, as carry-on, while some airports loan strollers to parents who’ve checked in larger strollers. As airlines differ, always check ahead with your particular airline to ensure they will accept the items you wish to bring on board with you.
- Try to avoid relying on your phone or iPad to entertain your baby. “During waiting periods in transit, your child might become bored or irritated by lack of play,” explains Rob. “It’s natural to want to stream Bluey or The Wiggles, but this can lead to overstimulation and tantrums. Consider
toys or activities that hold your baby’s attention and can be packed away easily.”
On the plane
- Some airlines will offer baby food, but you might want to bring extra meals and snacks onboard. If your baby is bottle fed, pack more than enough formula or breastmilk, and
 sterilised bottles and boiled and cooled water, to last the journey (plus any unexpected delays).
- “Consider taking a compact portable bottle warmer that heats up milk or formula in minutes,” suggests Rob. Flight attendants should be able to heat bottles for you, as well.
- In Australia, you can take a reasonable amount of powdered formula, bottles and sterilised water on board a flight. It may be different at other airports, so check your destination country’s rules.
- Try breast- or bottle-feeding your baby during take-off and landing to help ease any pain from the pressure build-up in their ears. A soother (dummy) might also do the trick.
At your destination
Help your baby adjust to the new time zone by exposing them to daylight and allowing short naps, ensure they have a comfortable place to sleep by bringing a compact portacot or asking locals to source one, and remember to stay calm yourself first when dealing with any travel-related baby outbursts.
What should I pack when travelling with a baby?
Packing carry-on for a baby can feel overwhelming, but we got you. Here’s a list of the essentials.
- Changes of clothes for you and your baby
- Plastic or biodegradable nappy bags for soiled nappies or dirty clothes
- Backpack-style nappy bag, such as the chic Jengo Changing Backpack
- Nappies and baby wipes: enough for the plane trip, transfers and delays
- Bottles, formula, breastmilk and snacks or food as needed
- Dummies, if needed
- Toys that don’t come in small, separate pieces. Suction spinners are a popular choice for flights
- Lightweight travel pram or stroller that doesn’t exceed the airline’s weight and size limits – check ahead with your airline to ensure compatibility
- Sleepsuit, muslin wrap or blanket for supervised sleeps.
Ideal seat on the plane for the baby
Your lap is the designated seat for babies under two during take-off, landing, and turbulence. Choose bulkhead seats for bassinet access, aisle seats for easier movement and nappy changes, or window seats for breastfeeding privacy.
Feeding & Ears During Take-off and Landing
Feed your baby or offer a soother (dummy) during take-off and landing to help equalize ear pressure. The swallowing motion prevents painful pressure buildup in their ears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Feed them or offer a dummy during take-off and landing to help equalize ear pressure through swallowing motions.
Most airlines allow a nappy bag as an additional free item beyond your standard carry-on allowance, but check with your specific airline.